Extensible and contractile file folders



Feb. 10, 1970 BARRETT E T AL 3,494,637

EXTENSIBLE AND CONTRACTILE FILE FOLDERS Filed Oct. 18. 1967 2 sheets-sheet 1 Y INVENTORS' zy/wve E. MAPETT BY ADELE J MASON M-XW Arrows Feb.-l0, 1970 L. E. BARRETT T 3,494,637

EXTENSIBLE AND CONTRACTILE FILE FOLDERS Filed Oct. 18, 1.96? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS LY/Y/YE E. BARRETT ADELE J. MASON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,494,637 EXTENSIELE AND CONTRACTILE FHLE FOLDERS Lynne E. Barrett, 8311 48th S., and Adele J. Mason, 5512 42nd 5., both of Seattle, Wash. 98118 Filed Oct. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 676,229 Int. Cl. B42d 3/10 US. Cl. 281-45 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A file folder of this invention is, in general, characterized as comprising two stiff leaf members and a flexible strip or sheet secured at one end portion thereof to the lower marginal edge portion of one leaf and slidingly, adjustably, and detachably connected at its other end portion with the lower marginal edge portion of the other leaf.

Our invention relates to file folders of the type used in filing papers, magazines, cloth and sheet samples, and the like. as is commonly used in connection with filing systems, as office files, and this description is written in association therewith as an example of use of our invention.

Such filing systems usually include primarily a filing cabinet having filing drawers and file folders to be placed in such cabinets in vertical positions and in side-by-side relation. The file folders heretofore used in such systems, comprise a nonextensible or nonexpandable file where there is a single sheet hingedly folded and closed at the bottom edges and with said leaves lying substantially parallel to each other and in a vertical plane when in use. The other type includes not only the two leaves but a bellows arrangement connecting the leaves together at the side marginal portions to allow for extension or expansion of the size of the pocket between the leaves.

All of the file folders commonly used are formed of a fibrous or compressed material which is usually somewhat flexible but has a degree of stiffness so that the front and back leaves of the file, when in use in filing cabinets, will stand on their lower marginal edge portions and lie substantially in vertical planes and extend parallel to each other.

Also, it is usually common to provide, on one or both of the upper edge portions of the leaves, an extension or tab which may be used for indexing the file folders or their contents.

Our invention relates particularly to the type of file folders to provide for extension or expansion of the size of the file but without the use of the usual bellows at the side marginal portions, the latter unduly limiting the range of adjustability of expansion or extension of the file.

It is an object of our invention to provide a file folder comprising two relatively stiff leaves and a relatively flexible strip or sheet connecting between said two leaves and which flexible strip or sheet is extensible or contractile in length (as respects its length between said two leaves) and which flexible strip is connected at one end portion to the lower marginal edge of one of said leaves and is adjustably and slidingly connectable with the lower edge portion of the other leaf.

More particularly, it is an object of our invention to provide pockets or pocket openings adjacent the inside surface face of the other of said leaves so that the free end portion of said relatively flexible strip can he slidingly threaded through said pocket openings and adjustably connected with the other of said leaves.

Other objects of our invention are to provide means to resist sliding movement of said free end portion of said flexible strip through said pockets to maintain a desired extension or expansion between the leaves comprising the file folder.

Other objects of our invention are to provide an extension string secured to the free end portion of said slidable, flexible strip so that by the use of said string and eyelets connected with one of said leaves, a wide range of adjustability is available in connection with the expansion or contraction of the file holding capacity of the file folders of our invention.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects and advantages of our invention as will appear or become implicit and be understood as this specification proceeds, we have provided details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying our invention and with the device unfolded to better illustrate the same; I

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, on a smaller scale than FIG. 1, with parts shown in plan;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, on a larger scale than FIG. 2 and with the parts shown in their normal use position, showing a position the parts may be located for an expanded position of the folder of our invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a lesser expanded position;

FIG. 5 is a similar view showing a lesser expanded condition;

FIG. 6 is a similar view showing a lesser expanded condition;

FIG. 7 is a similar view showing a lesser expanded condition; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view showing a modification of our invention.

Referring more particularly to the several views in the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts, leaves 10 and 12 are preferably made of relatively stiff stock, as a plastic or a fibrous compressed paper stock, and a plurality of times stiffer than the stock commonly employed in making prior art file folders. Prior art file folders are made of a single sheet folded to provide a hinge connection between two leaves and thus some stiffness obtains because of this mutual relationship. However, in our invention the leaves '10 and 12 are independent and thus greater stiffness thereof is required to provide a file folder having the desired rigidity and stability. The leaves 10 and 12 have the desired degree of stiffness sufficient so that when in use in filing cabinets, they will (as indexed from such position) stand on their lower marginal portions, lie substantially in vertical planes, and extend parallel to each other. In view of such characteristics of said leaves, they are referred to herein as relatively stiff leaves 10 and 12. One or both of said leaves 10 and 12 may carry the usual index tab 14.

Flexible strip or sheet 16 is connected at one end portion thereof to the lower marginal edge portion of one of said leaves 10, 12, as leaf 10 thereof. This connection, between one end portion of the flexible strip 16 to a lower marginal portion of a leaf 10, may be obtained by adhering them together, or by stapling or by both. Relatively flexible strip 16 is formed of any suitable strong and flexible material, as oil cloth, kraft paper, polyethylene film, or other suitable plastic sheet material. As said strip 16 will slide through pocket openings (herein later described) and it is desired to increase the friction and thus control or retard such sliding movement of the strip 16, preferably said strip 16 is formed of kraft paper, oil cloth, slide resistant surfaced sheets, or other material which resists sliding movement of said strip to surfaces contacting therewith. Such strip 16, or surfaces of pockets contacting the same, may be coated with an elastomer to increase resistance to sliding movements.

The free or other end portion 18 of the flexible strip 16 may comprise a hemmed portion of a plurality of secured together folds 20 (FIG. 1), or may, if the material forming strip is not slide resistant comprise a strip of flexible material 22 formed of an elastomer (FIG. '8). Also, a string 24 is preferably secured to such other end portion 18 of the flexible strip 16.

A cross strip 26 is secured to the marginal side portions of the other leaf 12, as indicated by the dash lines. Strip 26 is disposed adjacent said leaf 12, leaving a pocket opening 28 (see also FIG. 2) between the adjacent surfaces of cross strip 26 and leaf 12. While the adjacent surfaces of leaf 12 and the strip 26 will contact unless they are otherwise separated, for purposes of better illustration in the drawings, a space between the same has been indicated in FIGS. 3 to 7, inclusive.

Another cross strip 30 is secured to the marginal side portions of the leaf 12 (in a manner similar to that shown and described in connection with the securance of strip 26 to the leaf 12), leaving a pocket opening 32 between the strip 30 and the leaf 12. Again, a space is shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, inclusive, between the strip and the leaf, and for similar reasons. The flexible sheet or strip 16 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 34. Eyelet 36 is carried by leaf 12, eyelet 38 is carried by strip 30 and eyelet 40 is carried by strip 26, for reasons hereinafter described.

A position in which the parts of our invention may be disposed is shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing. Here the free end portion 18 of the flexible strip or sheet 16 is threaded into or through pocket opening 28 (between strip 26 and leaf 12) until the string 24 is engaged with eyelet 36 carried by the leaf 12. This position provides for the largest expansion of folders of our invention for a given length of flexible sheet 16.

In FIG. 4, the free end portion 18 of the flexible sheet 16 continues (after the threading of FIG. 3) into pocket 32 (between strip 30 and leaf 12) and then over strip 30. The string 24 may be engaged with either eyelet 38 or eyelet 36. As the slot 34 is in registration with eyelet 36, the said eyelet 36 is available so string 24 may be engaged therewith. The string 24 is preferably engaged with eyelet 36 (as shown), if it will reach the same, as such eyelet is carried directly by the leaf 12. Obviously, a strain on eyelet 38 and through it to a mid portion of strip 30 may cause bending of a short strip 30.

Our invention contemplates the use of one or more strips, as strips 26 and 30, and without limitation of the height or heights thereof. However, preferably, the strip 26is relatively high to provide for ample storage. Also, the eyelet 36, along with slot 34 to expose said eyelet 36 for connection of string 24 therewith, is preferable over eyelets 38 and 40 because eyelet 36 is directly carried by leaf 12.

In FIG. 4, a rather large range is involved due to the fact that (1) the extent of threading of strip or sheet 16 relative to pocket opening 32 may be selected; (2) either eyelet 36 or 38 maybe utilized for engagement of the string 24; and (3) various lengths of string 24 may be employed between the free end portion 18 of the strip or sheet 1 6 and the eyelet 36 or 38 which is used.

Next, the said free end portion 18 of the flexible strip or sheet 16 may be further threaded and over strip 30 in selected amounts. This is illustrated in FIG. of the drawing. With such positions of the free end portion 18, the string 24 may be connected with eyelet 40'. This position of the parts is employed where further contraction over FIG. 4 is desired. As the strip 26 may be relatively tall, the strip 26 is not subject to excess bending and rigidity obtains. Also, if the slot 34 is employed, the eyelets 38 and 40 are optional and thence the position indicated in FIG. 5 is optional.

Eyelets 36, 38, and 40 may be of the usual form commonly used in connection with envelopes and their closing flaps which include an auxiliary fastener in the nature of a string and eyelet. Such eyelets comprise a circular disc of rather heavy paper material, or the like, which are secured to the envelope only at their central portion leaving an annular pocket or recess into which string may be wrapped with a plurality of turns. The stiffness of the eyelet holds it against the envelope to which it is secured and thus provides for the desired friction on the string, after a number of turns of the string are made about the center support of the eyelet.

Another position of extension of the free end portion 18 of the flexible strip or sheet 16 is in part illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawing. Here the said end portion 18 has been further threaded over that shown in FIG. 5 and continues into pocket opening 28. Due to such circuitous passageway, alone or because of its combination with the folded end 20 (FIG. 1) of the flexible strip or sheet 16, or the elastomer strip 22 (FIG. 8) on the end portion 18 of strip 16, or the slide resistant nature of the material forming the strip 16, or the slide resistant nature of the surfaces forming the pocket openings 28 and 32, sliding of flexible sheet is re retarded or prevented. If string 24 is not connected to an eyelet, then any excess amount of material of the flexible strip or sheet 14 may be rolled or folded in the pocket opening 28 and such opening will function as a storage means for such material. If the string continues through the pocket opening 28 and connects with one of the eyelets 40, 36, or 38, the string 24 functions merely as a safety accessory if connected with a selected eyelet. The action involved may be likened to the wearing of both suspenders and a belt. In the position shown in FIG. 6, devices of our invention have a variable amount of extension as variable amounts of the end portion 18 of the sheet 16 may be placed in storage in pocket opening 28. Thus, the length of flexible strip or sheet 16 between leaves 10 and 12 may be varied and a wide range of extension is available when these positions obtain.

A still further and contracted position of the leaves 10- and 12 is illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawing. Here the free end 18 continues (over the position illustrated in FIG. 6) through pocket opening 28, and over and about cross strip 26 until the spring 24 is secured to one of the eyelets 38, 36, or 40-in said FIG. 7, the string is shown secured to eyelet 36. In the position shown in FIG. 7, obviously, it is possible to continue the contraction until leaves 10 and 12 are in face to face abutting relation if such a minimum contraction should be desired.

In view of the foregoing, it will now become readily apparent that we have provided construction comprising a relatively stiff first leaf, as leaf 10; a relatively stiff second leaf, as leaf 12; and that said leaves are adapted, when in use, to lie in substantially vertical planes, to extend parallel to each other and rest on their lower marginal bottom edge portions. Next, we have provided a relatively flexible strip or sheet, as flexible strip 16, which is connected at one end portion thereof with the lower marginal edge portion of a first leaf, as leaf 10; that said flexible strip 16 extends between the lower marginal edge portion of said leaves and has its other or free end portion 18 slidingly and adjustably connected With the lower edge portion of the second leaf, as leaf 12. This connection of the free end portion 18 of the flexible strip 16 is not only a sliding and an adjustable connection but the connection is detachable. Next, we have provided a string 24 connected with the free end portion 18 of the flexible strip 16 and which string is detachably connected with an eyelet carried by or connected with the leaf 12, as eyelet 36 directly connected to leaf 12 and eyelets 38 and 40 indirectly connected with leaf 12 through cross strips 30 and 26. In connection with a relatively stiff leaf, as leaf 12, we have provided cross strips 26 and 30 which provide, respectively, pocket openings 28 and 32 through which the free end portion 18 of the flexible strip or sheet 16 may be slidably threaded. Preferably a plurality of said cross strips are employed, such as cross strips 26 and 30 which permit adjustability of the extension between the two leaves and 12. Also, preferably, the said flexible strip or sheet, as strip 16, is formed of a slide-resistant material '(the flexible strip is either slide-resistant surfaced in whole or in part, or of a slide-resistant material), so that there is resistance against moving the leaves 10 and 12 away from each other when the said leaves and the flexible strip are used in combination as a file folder. Next, we have provided in the preferred formthe cross strips 26 and 30 connected to one of the leaves, as leaf 12,:and at their marginal edge portions so as to provide pocket openings 28 and 32 of maximum width. Next, we have provided a combination wherein the eyelet 36 is connected directly to the leaf 12 so that the string 24 and/or flexible sheet 16, in passing over cross strip 30 and being connected with said eyelet 36, urges the said cross strip 30 against and connects the same with the leaf 12 and at a location intermediate the length of said cross strip 30.

Also, in the preferred form of our invention as illustrated best in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the free end portion 18 of the flexible strip or sheet 16 is threaded under cross strip 26 (in pocket opening 28) and under cross strip 30 (in pocket opening 32), thence over and about cross strip 30 and thence again threaded underthe cross strip 26 (in pocket 28), so that by said circuitous passageways, there is resistance to slide between the strip 16 and the pocket openings between the cross strips 30 and 26 and the leaf 12. In this form, the file folder of our invention tends to hold an expanded or extendedpositiou and without the use of auxiliary fastening means (such as strings and eyelets) except its safety or auxiliary means.

Obviously, changes may be made in the forms, dimensions and arrangements of the parts of our invention without departing from the principle thereof, the above setting forth only preferred forms of embodiment of our invention.

We claim:

1 A file folder comprising a relatively stitf first leaf; a relatively stiff second leaf, said leaves adapted when in use, to lie in substantially vertical, adjacent parallel planes; a cross strip secured to said second leaf only at the side marginal portions thereof, providing a pocket having top and bottom openings; a two-part string and button fastener means, the button part of which is carried by said second leaf at a mid portion crosswise thereof and at an elevation below the bottom of said cross strip; and a relatively flexible sheet having one end portion thereof connected with the lower marginal edge portion of said first leaf and having a longitudinally extending slot alined with said button part for access of said button part through said slot, the said flexible sheet extending from said first leaf to the lower marginal edge portion of said second leaf, upwardly through said pocket, and over and about said cross strip, the said string part of said string and button means being connected with the other end portion of said flexible sheet and being detachably connected with-said button part through said longitudinally extending slot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 292,484 1/ 1884 Gross 129-1 514,987 2/ 1894 Campbell 129-1 540,469 6/1895 Tilley 129-l 634,294 10/ 1899 Gilson 129l8 853,121 5/1907 Saundry. 1,043,425 11/ 1912 Hirsh 24-200 1,221,884 4/ 1917 Martin. 1,472,789 11/1923 Bull 28l34 1,884,661 10/1932 Graham.

244,483 7/ 1881 Planche.

FOREIGN PATENTS 504,748 11/ 1952 Belgium. 252,816 6/ 1926 Great Britain. 955,797 4/ 1964 Great Britain.

JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 229-68 

